The NMC general body will take decision on town planning department’s proposal to change the reservation from ‘Sonegaon Tank’ to ‘Beautification and Rejuvenation of Sonegaon Tank’ in a meeting scheduled on October 16. TDR cannot be granted for a water body but the change in reservation will make it a government project for which TDR is allowed.

The lake spread in 16.42 hectares (now revised to 16.59 hectares) is owned by three private persons — late Dr Sudha Sutaria, Dr Rekharani Bhiwapurkar and Sadanand Thote. The district administration had started the process to acquire the lake in 1999. Citing flaws in the process, Bhiwapurkar had filed a petition in the High Court in 2000, which is still pending.

Following an order from HC, the NMC started the process to acquire the lake in 2009. Strangely, the NMC opted to offer TDR to the owners. The owners demanded TDR worth Rs695.68 crore based on value for lake bed, stone wall and excavation cost.

In 2012, the state government rejected the TDR proposal saying it cannot be granted for a water body. The NMC then took up lake rejuvenation works with the help of Rs3.24 crore sanctioned by the government.

Following criticism from media and activists over the rejuvenation works, the NMC decided to give cash compensation of Rs5.13 crore to the owners for acquiring the lake.

Following another order from the HC, the NMC sent another proposal to the government seeking permission to grant TDR, which was again rejected by the government.

RTI activist TH Naidu, who had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in HC demanding acquisition of the lake in 2015, told TOI that change in reservation will also affect basic rights of citizens to utilize the lake.

Naidu added that the auctioning the lake in 1971 was itself wrong. “The auction should be scrapped and the Rs57,000 paid by the owners then should be returned with interest,” he said.

The activist also cited Supreme Court directives to authorities to acquire water bodies owned by private persons. “Government norms say lakes can be acquired by paying only 25% of total acquisition amount. Then why the NMC is interested in granting TDR worth crores? It seems some powerful politicians and builders are behind the move,” he said.

The lake also has heritage significance. It is mentioned as grade-II with remark as, “Black stoned retaining walls with bastions and sluicing of the Bhonsale period, catchment existing into airport area and beyond.”